Steve Sparks (volcanologist)

Steve Sparks
Born (1949-05-15) 15 May 1949
Alma materImperial College London
AwardsBigsby Medal (1985)
Murchison Medal (1998)
Arthur Holmes Medal (2005)
Thorarinsson Medal (2008)
Wollaston Medal (2011)
Vetlesen Prize (2015)
Royal Medal (2018)
Scientific career
InstitutionsUniversity of Bristol
Doctoral advisorGeorge P. L. Walker
Notable studentsJenni Barclay, Jonathan Blundy, Costanza Bonadonna, Claire Horwell, David Pyle

Sir Robert Stephen John Sparks, CBE, FRS (born Harpenden, Hertfordshire, 15 May 1949) is Chaning Wills Professor of Geology in the School of Earth Sciences at the University of Bristol. He is one of the world's leading volcanologists and has been widely recognised his pioneering research into the physics of eruptions, volcanic geology, igneous petrology, volcanic hazards and risk assessment, and wider services to the science community.